Inspiring Imagination
There are few pleasures in the world as great to me as reading. As a child, I read voraciously, and without limits—I read about Greek Mythology, and biographies of great men and women, and Japanese Folk Tales, and about Lost Treasures of the Incas, and Fairy Tales, all with equal fervor. I traveled to other worlds with Charles Wallace Murray, and grew up alongside Taran Wanderer. I learned about Robot Detectives, and Magic Swords, and Time Machines. But most importantly, I learned that we live in a world without limits. And that's the most important lesson of all.—James A. Owen, The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series
Testimonials
Jeanie Owens
President, Project Sleep Tight USA, Mesa, Arizona
August 18, 2023
The Page Coach
We are deeply appreciative of the book donations received and they help us tremendously in our efforts to provide reading materials for the children we serve.
Jackie Thatcher
Family and Community Engagement Supervisor, Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, Arizona
August 2, 2023
The Page Coach
We love our partnership with Kids Need to Read and love seeing their faces when we give them their reading buddies. They truly light up when they receive them! Thank you so much!
Martha Guzman
Director of Special Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
July 29, 2023
The Page Coach
We cannot thank you enough for supporting our Back to School event! Our Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Arizona Littles and their families were so excited to be able to receive books thanks to your generous donation.
Jesse Reece
Teacher, Sundance Elementary School, Peoria, Arizona
July 26, 2023
The Page Coach
This was AMAZING and I couldn't be happier! The variety and grade-appropriate books that were donated are in great condition. The planning and care that went into the whole process was perfect. Thank you Kids Need to Read and the entire team!
Pam Scandrett
Pi Beta Phi Alumni, Brunson Lee Elementary, Phoenix, Arizona
July 18, 2023
The Page Coach
Thank you so much for the books! [We] had fun unpacking all the boxes to discover what you delivered! We are looking forward to our first birthday books on August 23rd!!
Catherine Weber
Community Outreach Coordinator, Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Watsonville, California
July 14, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
We are very excited about the books! It is nice to have a variety of ages and good quality.
Nadine King
Executive Director, Christmas Come True, Brunnell, Florida
July 14, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you for your amazing donation… Most of the children have never had anything new just for them and are so excited to have a book of their own!
Antonette Franceschi-Chavez
CEO, Equity Through Literacy, Long Beach California
July 10, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you for the donation, the amount was perfect for the event. We appreciate some Spanish books being added to the mix.
Zach Zeller
Patient Education and Health Promotion Manager, Shasta Community Health Center, Redding, California
July 10, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
The day we received the books, we filled our kid's library out in the lobby of our pediatrics department. The children that were waiting for their appointment, came over and immediately started looking through the books. We really appreciate your donation, as you have helped make a lot of kids happy and eager to learn!
Christina L. Hill
CEO, E.L.I.M.U Is Power Inc, National City, California
July 7, 2023
The Page Coach
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous book donations. Your contribution will help us in achieving our mission of promoting education and literacy in our community.
Nina Allred
Community outreach & engagement supervisor, Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, Arizona
June 28, 2023
The Page Coach
We've received multiple compliments about our literacy initiative, Stick 2 Reading. Attendance was also great, and having your staff provide a fun storytime was very entertaining to the children.
Christina Hill
CEO, Elimu is power inc. San Diego, California
June 27, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Again we wanted to express our gratitude for your generous donation. We recently received an email from a family who greatly appreciated your contribution. The mother shared that she was overjoyed to be able to read Dr. Seuss's books with her two boys, who love them. All of the children were very excited to receive the books and we even provided backpacks. Once again, thank you for your kindness and support.
Carol Fischer
Grant Coordinator, Assistance League of Greater San Diego, San Diego, California
June 27, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
The books will be given to Children in Transition and Foster Youth. It will probably be the first new book they have received and are able to keep.
Audrey Arvizu
Teacher, Summer Roosevelt & Adams Elementary Schools, Mesa, Arizona
June 22, 2023
The Page Coach
My summer school students really love receiving books that they get to take home and keep. Sometimes these books are the only access they have to books outside of school. I love seeing their big smiles.
Valerie Tanguay-Masner
Planning & Grants Manager, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville, Tennessee
June 21, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Today was our “Kid-A-Riffic, Fun in the Park” event where we were able to provide the books donated by Kids Need To Read to the participants. Our Officer who coordinated the event for the KPD participation said that the response from the children and parents was very positive… Thank you again for coordinating the book donation to Knoxville Police Department and please know how much we appreciate your efforts.
Valerie Hollobaugh
International/Public Relations, Native American Fatherhood and Families Association, Mesa, Arizona
June 17, 2023
The Page Coach
We love having Kids Need to Read sponsor a table at our Father's Day Festival. It's greatly appreciated by all of our recipients.
Jeanene DeFine
Librarian, Mesa Public Library, Mesa, Arizona
June 16, 2023
The Page Coach
We had a large event on Wednesday [at the Mesa Public Library] and a parent asked me when we were going to have the Pirate Lady back. She told me her kids talk about it all the time.
Alex Kenzler
Resident Services Specialist: Desert Willow, Catholic Charities, Tempe, Arizona
June 15, 2023
The Page Coach
I wanted to thank [Kids Need to Read} again for the time you spent at Desert Willow yesterday. The girls LOVED it so much and couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had with “Captain Ruby Red Lips and Mermaid Tiernnee!”
Alex Kenzler
Resident Services Specialist, Catholic Charities Community Services, Tempe, Arizona
June 14, 2023
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read is an amazing program that I have had the privilege of partnering with. Pirate Captain Ruby Red Lips and Mermaid Tiernnee provide amazing “ocean” themed books for the kids [to take home] and did an amazing job at not only reading but singing & dancing too! Not to mention, [Kids Need to Read] donated high-quality books for our community library and puzzle books for kids. I am looking forward to doing this again soon!
Sue Brash
Book Gifts Program Coordinator, Assistance League of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona
May 24, 2023
The Page Coach
At an event for parents at Head Start sites we were told that the “bilingual Highlights were so popular”. Additionally, a supervisor told me how many parents talked about how they couldn't read enough with their children, and how they are working hard to try and not let screens take over their lives.
Frances Williams
Children's Librarian, and Collection Development, Calhoun County Public Library, Blountstown, Florida
May 17, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours - Grow Your Library
Thank you all SO very much for the giveaway books that you all have provided. We received 25 hardcover books and 40 Highlights Storybook Collection packets that we can open and make available to little children to receive when they come to our events. These books are greatly appreciated! I have already made a travel story time pack out of three of the books that you sent for our permanent collection, they were a hit! The little children ooo'd and ahhhhh'd over them and were totally entranced. When I pulled out the Bluey book, of the three books in that pack, the little children went wild with glee! They were saying, “I know her (Bluey) from television” and “I love Bluey” and “Wow, it's Bluey!” They were SO happy.
I was glad to tell the children that some wonderful people from Arizona with Kids Need to Read made those three books possible that they were getting to see and hear. I'm going to make more onsite and travel packs that will include more of your Bluey books that you provided as well as your other books that are fantastic that you all made possible. Your books are brightening the days of the little children of Calhoun County Florida by your books being part of our collection to check out and or hear read to them on location and in person. Words are not enough to express the gratitude that I have for all of you and all that you do for children everywhere!
Karen O'Keefe
EL Testing Specialist, Mountain View School, Phoenix, Arizona
May 16, 2023
The Page Coach
The students and teachers were so happy with the book sets delivered to our school!! The book sets [Highlights Storybook Collections] was just big enough for primary students' hands and there were so many books in each set! The students couldn't wait to unwrap them and read them. As always, Kids Need to Read helped us to motivate our students to read with beautiful books. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous donation!
Vanessa Zamorano
Translator and Family Engagement Specialist and Unofficial Librarian, Mojave River Academy, Colton, California
May 12, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Students who otherwise wouldn't read were picking out 3 to 5 books to take home, and so many promised to come back and talk about what they liked/didn't like about the books they choose. We're a charter school with a very low-income population, and the excitement of not only choosing books, but getting to keep them if they liked, or bring them back and choose something else was wonderful. Thank you!
Lind Tardie
Reading Specialist, Hohokam Elementary, Scottsdale, Arizona
May 11, 2023
The Page Coach
So grateful for the staff from Kids Need to Read! This is the second year of attending our literacy event and they have become a popular station! Smiles on their faces as they walk away with new reading material are priceless!
Valerie Tanguay-Masner
Police Planning & Grants Manager, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville, Tennessee
May 11, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
We sincerely appreciate the donation of books from your company. These are being used for summer reading programs that are coordinated by our Police Department School Resource Officers.
Jeanie Owens
President, Project Sleep Tight, Mesa, Arizona
May 10, 2023
The Page Coach
The books we received were brand new and very much appreciated. The children we serve are living in homeless shelters and or domestic violence centers, plus foster care.
Flor Sanchez
Medical Assistant, Yoonessi's Holistic Health for All, Long Beach, California
May 1, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
The happy faces of our pediatric patients were so bright and full of excitement. Unfortunately, many of our patients do not have access to many different types of books but [Kids Need to Read] has made this a lot easier for our patients.
Kristy Peshlakai
Native American Liaison, Native American Education Program, Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, Arizona
April 28, 2023
The Page Coach
I am grateful for this organization. It has provided me with books for my classroom to share with my students.
Kristy Peshlakai
Native American Education Program Liaison, Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, Arizona
April 28, 2023
The Page Coach
I am very grateful for this resource. My little classroom has some books available for the students. I had a good experience. [Kids Need to Read's staff] was very helpful and responsive. I thank you all so much!
Crystal Perez
Teacher, Joseph Zito Elementary, Phoenix, Arizona
April 28, 2023
The Page Coach
You gals [at Kids Need to Read] are amazing! Our kids had the best time picking out their books! We are excited to have you back next year to read to our K-2 students again too! Thank you for your generous donation and for contributing to the success of our students!
Victoria Griffith
Teacher, Eisenhower Center for Innovation, Mesa, Arizona
April 27, 2023
The Page Coach
Thank you to your organization for the donations! The students were so excited to walk away with a book relating to STEAM.
Reyness Price
CEO, Military Support Foundation, Phoenix, Arizona
April 23, 2023
The Page Coach
Everyone really enjoyed having [Kids Need to Read] at our event!
Kathy Ray
Principal, Porter Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
April 21, 2023
The Page Coach
We are so appreciative of the continued support of literacy items at our family events, our community, and children LOVE the books and reading buddies! Thank you so much!
Michelle Kari
Family Resource Center Manager, AZCEND, Chandler, Arizona
April 5, 2023
The Page Coach
Children loved the interactive storytelling!
Margo Kaisara
Teacher, Pan-American Charter School, Phoenix, Arizona
March 28, 2023
The Page Coach
We were very excited to hear that our donation request had been approved. Then, the books were delivered earlier than promised. The high school students showed some interest at first, but when they helped unpack the boxes and set up the bookshelves their demeanor changed. I overheard the exclamations and joy of seeing old favorites, showing each other the covers of interesting books, asking if they can take one or two books right away, and asking others if they had read the same book… I smiled to myself listening to the excitement build. Thank you all for all that you do to make this happen for Arizona's students.
Crystal Perez
4th Grade Teacher, Joseph Zito Elementary, Phoenix, Arizona
March 8, 2023
The Page Coach: Storybook Adventures
Our K-2 teachers loved the storybook time and the kids had the best time! Jessica (as Cactus Rose) was engaging and the kids were excited to receive their Highlights magazine.
Crystal Girard Perez
Teacher, Joseph Zito Elementary, Phoenix, Arizona
March 8, 2023
The Page Coach: Storybook Adventures
The kids had the best time and were excitedly talking about your story later in the day. The teachers said that you were amazing and really appreciated you coming in! Thank you again for coming in and reading to our little ones! We really appreciate it!
Xuan le
Media Assistant, Bologna Elementary, Chandler, Arizona
March 7, 2023
The Page Coach: Storybook Adventures
Thank you so much for helping our community! The kids really enjoyed the program. A lot of the kids came up to us and want to check out the books that Queen Jessica [Executive Director] read to the children. She was so great with them.
Allyse Hazeltine
12 Books Program Director, Mesa United Way, Mesa, Arizona
March 6, 2023
The Page Coach
These wonderful books will supplement our donation to Franklin East Elementary in Mesa, AZ for a free book fair for students! Thank You Kids Need to Read.
Maria Barker
Assistant Principal, Longfellow Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
March 3, 2023
The Page Coach
Students were very excited to complete their Highlights books and to get one of the new books from the book vending machine. [Additionally,] Jessica (as Pirate Captain Ruby Red Lips) was fantastic! I received wonderful reports from teachers and students about her engaging story time.
Michaela Morris
Teacher, Bullard High School, Fresno, California
March 3, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Having high-interest texts at their fingertips motivates students to read every time. Thank you for making this possible for students in Fresno! What a gift for students – and their teachers – alike!
Samantha Lindsay
PTVO President, Black Mountain School, Golden Valley, Arizona
March 2, 2023
The Page Coach
Such a great program & an awesome caring staff, [Kids Need to Read] went above & beyond to get the kids in our community a book to take home. There were so many smiling faces, and over 500 books were donated so each kid at the school & in our preschool program received a New Book. After the literacy night, kids who weren't there also got a new book from their teacher. The parents were very appreciative as well at literacy night.
Angela Lee
Teacher, Orchard Park School, Oakley, California
March 2, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
The donated books allowed every single student in 2 classes to win books as an incentive for reading during Read Across America week. It allowed me to provide free books without losing any from my personal library. The motivation to read their very own brand new book meant students who did not have money to purchase books at the book fair still had a brand new book to enjoy. Every single student found a book they could enjoy immediately. I am very grateful to Kids Need to Read for donating to my grade level.
Wendy Eubanks
Library Director, Blountstown Public Library, Blountstown, Florida
March 2, 2023
Grow Your Library
[We experienced an] Increase in circulation due to newer books and interest levels. We enjoyed [Grow Your Library's Gary and Tina Mlodzic's] visit and story time!
Kim O'Brien
President, Phoenix Alumnae Club Pi Beta Phi, Phoenix, Arizona
March 1, 2023
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read provides excellent reading materials for students.
Stephanie Riley
Director, McGregor-McKinney Public Library, Hartford, Alabama
February 28, 2023
Grow Your Library
Everyone involved in the entire process was so helpful and the books [we received] are fantastic! Our library saw a 33% increase in the number of books checked out in March 2023 over March 2022. We are so thankful for the Kids Need to Read organization and the generosity shown to our library. They helped us in our goal of keeping kids reading and having fun with it.
Jordan Walkley
Program Manager, Read Better Be Better, Phoenix, Arizona
February 28, 2023
The Page Coach
Thank you so much for [Kids Need to Read's] continued support! We are so pleased with the books and are very excited to get them into the hands of our kiddos!
Melissa Andrews
PTA President, Scott Libby PTA (SLE), Litchfield Park, Arizona
February 23, 2023
The Page Coach
We always love having Kids Need to Read on campus. It is a vital resource for organizations like ours which may not always have funding to bring reading resources to school age children.
Jeanette Dickens
President / Founder, Books For Birthdays INC., High Point, North Carolina
February 21, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
The wonderful assortment of new books that we received, specifically the ones on dinosaurs and the military, are often specifically requested by the children. These books will definitely help us to successfully fulfill the requests of the children. Books For Birthdays, Inc. would like to again thank Kids Need To Read for its generous book donation and support for our mission to provide children in foster care with new personalized books on their birthdays, in hopes of fostering a life-long interest in reading.
Sherry Leavitt
NDFSCS Site Coordinator, Heart River Elementary School, Dickinson, North Dakota
February 13, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
The books were in excellent condition and our students were so excited to have new materials to read. Thank you so much Kids Need to Read! We appreciate you!
Aimee Gerkin
Reading Specialist, Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
February 7, 2023
The Page Coach
We have parents complete a survey about our events and 99% of the responses praised the free books that were given to their children. The students love the Highlights and the books! We are always excited and so appreciative of the people and the organization Kids Need to Read!
Theresa Kirsimagi
Youth Advocate, Steps to End Domestic Violence, Colchester, Vermont
January 31, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
We received a variety of popular children's books in beautiful condition. Thanks to Kids Need to Read, our Children's Program now has an engaging assortment of books for youth to explore!
Alexandra Micklethwaite
Teacher, Nora Sterry Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
January 30, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you, such a wonderful donation! The class loves the books [that Kids Need to Read provided].
Kayla Crowe
Social & Emotional Learning Specialist, Peach Springs Unified School District #8, Peach Springs, Arizona
January 30, 2023
The Page Coach
On behalf of the Peach Springs Unified School District, thank you for the generous donation of books to our Kindergarten through Ninth Grade students. Over one-hundred budding readers will go on literary adventures, strengthen their skills and fertilize a love for reading because of this gift.
The attention and care offered to our students is particularly heartwarming. Thank you for being culturally astute and asking about our needs and concerns. I've had the pleasure of reading a few of the new, donated books with a couple of students while they were having a hard moment in their day. When offered the healthy distraction of a story one student sidled up to me and exhaled, visibly becoming more serene with each turned page till she shared a smile and said she was ready to continue her day. Another student, agitated and scowling, was taken aback when I offered him an alluring book for scary stories. He dubiously cracked it open, a few minutes later saying, “This is cool.” When I offered that he could keep the book, all the tension in his face and shoulders melted. “Really?!” He read on for a few minutes, self-regulating, till he too was ready to return to class.
The transformative power of reading is taking hold in our school and “kids need to read” is taking on a much deeper meaning. We look forward to continuing to work with Kids Need to Read and sharing our stories with you. Thank you for being a part of our village.
Valentine Hernandez
Reading Intervention Specialist, Whittier Elementary, Phoenix, Arizona
January 25, 2023
The Page Coach
[The students had a] great time; thanks for your support at our Literacy Night event. We hope you can continue to be part of our school community!
Ines Honne
Principal, Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary, Chandler, Arizona
January 24, 2023
The Page Coach
The books were of very good quality and quantity. [The Lions club volunteers] were very friendly and excited to be at the school, [sharing the] love of reading and books!
Nichole Cote
Administrative Secretary, Irving Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
January 19, 2023
The Page Coach
All the kids enjoyed getting a book for the holidays. Thanks again for donating to our school. We appreciate all you do for us!
Krista Villielm
Teacher, George Washington Elementary, Kingston, New York
January 18, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
The box of books arrived yesterday and WOW!!! I am blown away by the generosity!! My students were so excited!!! …They can't wait to read them all!!! Many, many, many thanks!
Andrea Penn
Children event organizer, Dig it Kingman Community Garden, Kingman, Arizona
January 16, 2023
The Page Coach
[We] love this program and thank you. Our youngest readers appreciate [all of the new choices] the most.
Erin Roper
Director, Kingman Area Literacy Program, Kingman, Arizona
January 16, 2023
The Page Coach
[Our] little free libraries are now stocked with books from KNTR. [They are] heavily used and always in need of love - thank you!!
Holly Collins
Teacher, Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility, Wichita, Kansas
January 12, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
…I can't send pictures of our kids due to privacy laws, but the teachers were just as excited as the kids. Many of our current titles have covers and pages missing because they have been so well-loved. We are now able to replace them. Additionally, we now have titles that are more age-appropriate and content levels suitable for all of the kids. Many of them can't wait to see the new library catalog and read the new books. We are so very grateful!
Michele Sheppard
Librarian II, Mesa Public Library Red Mountain Branch, Mesa, Arizona
January 11, 2023
The Page Coach
[Kids Need to Read's Executive Director] did such an amazing storytime for our families. She was engaging and fun and delivered the stories with such experience and enthusiasm. It was clear our families had a wonderful time with her. All of the kids were very happy to walk away with their own Highlights Magazine in addition to a set of books for family sharing.
Holly Collins
Teacher, Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility, Wichita, Kansas
January 11, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for choosing our facility. Many book charities have turned us down because we are a library within a juvenile detention facility. These students deserve to have books as much as any other child. The kids are very excited to have new books to read, as well as some replacements for books that have had the covers and pages loved off of their binding. There was something in the boxes for everyone, even lower-level readers are excited to get to the library.
Maher, Una
K-2 Online Instructor, Hillsboro Online Academy, Hillsboro, Oregon
January 5, 2023
From Our Shelves to Yours
Our students LOVE their reading buddies!… Thanks again for your support.
Erik Arriola
Executive Director, Superstition Community Food Bank, Apache Junction, Arizona
December 17, 2022
The Page Coach
All [of our family clients] were very excited to receive the books! Thank you for blessing our Christmas event with Christmas classic literature!
Angelese Calderon
Founder/ President, Eagle Pathway, Mesa, Arizona
December 16, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you so much for your donation of books. They were such a blessing to the kids. We appreciate your support.
Tiffany Hughes
Social Worker, Cesar Chavez Leadership Academy, Phoenix, Arizona
December 13, 2022
The Page Coach
We truly appreciate the books and you reading to our kinder/1st grade. The older grades also loved the books. It was so awesome to see all of them leaving for winter break with a book in hand.
Karen O'Keefe
EL Testing Specialist, Mountain View School, Phoenix, Arizona
December 13, 2022
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read sponsored our Preschool and Kindergarten December book give-away by providing books and reading buddies. The books were BEAUTIFUL!! They were perfectly selected for the time of year and the level of our students! The reading buddies… Oh my goodness!! The students kept asking, “Do we get to keep these?” Once they knew that they could, they held on tight to their buddies AND their books! Our students received the best gift of the holiday season - READING!!! Mountain View School is so very grateful for all that Kids Need to Read has done for us!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!
Lynda Cordova
Instructional Coach, Richard Oliphant Elementary School, Indio, California
December 6, 2022
The Page Coach
It is a pleasure to partner with your organization. The students love getting books of their own to keep and take home.
Christina Stockdale
Teacher, Roosevelt Elementary, Indio, California
December 5, 2022
The Page Coach
Watching our students get excited when selecting books that would be theirs was wonderful. Thank you for putting smiles on their faces and an eagerness to read.
Cindy Hermida
Title I Site Specialist/Math Interventionist, Echo Mountain Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona
December 5, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you for your donation of new books and Reading Buddies to the Echo Mountain Primary and Intermediate Schools! These were set out at our annual “Holiday Book Browse” and every K-6 student got to choose their own book and Highlights Magazine. The students were thrilled to get books of their very own! Our social worker offered [the extra books] to the parents as they picked up their bag of donated holiday gifts. (These bags were given to over 50 of our lowest-income families, who would not otherwise have been able to give presents to their children.) There were many smiles on many faces because of your generosity, both parents and students!
Dawn Mortellaro
President,�Altrusa of the West Valley, Surprise Arizona
November 15, 2022
The Page Coach
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is extremely grateful for the books that are provided to their kids. This is one of their favorite programs. We are very grateful to Kids Need to Read for their assistance in making this such a success. We also appreciate how we receive the books. It is extremely helpful to us the way you categorize them and tells us how many for each child, etc. Thank you so much!
Roy T. Dawson
Executive Director, Arizona Center for�African American�Resources, Phoenix, Arizona
November 15, 2022
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read is by far the most reliable source for quality books that represent our cultural, ethnic, and reading-level needs. Without their donations, our early literacy programs for African American Children in Arizona would not be as effective.
Anita Mealey
Case Management Coordinator/Advocate, Arizona Child & Adolescent Survivor Initiative, Tuscon, Arizona
November 14, 2022
The Page Coach
My clients usually don't have the finances to purchase books for the children in their care. The caregivers are often grandparents [or other family members…]. As I complete intakes with families, I ask ahead of time what kind of books their kiddos like to read. I then select books for that child (from what your organization donated to me) and am able to present them during the intake process. This is a huge blessing for my clients! The kids love getting books they like to read and being able to receive books from your organization at no cost is a huge benefit to the clients we serve.
Brittany Odom PhD
Pediatrician,�La Clinica De Familia Pediatric clinic, Las Cruces, New Mexico
November 4, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
We are so grateful for the book donation. Our patients and families have been thrilled to receive a new book during their visits and work on reading while at the doctor's office. It also helps us reinforce the importance of literacy in our community, especially being a largely bilingual community. We cannot thank you enough for what you're doing and the children you are helping.
Brenna Klassen
Librarian III, Mesa Public Library - Dobson Ranch, Mesa, Arizona
October 31, 2022
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read's donations and support have helped make our “Halloween Boo!” a highly anticipated program that grows larger every year.
Heather Maes
Director of Library Services, Woodruff Memorial Library, La Junta, Colorado
October 28, 2022
Grow Your Library
It was a wonderful opportunity not only for the library but for the people in our community. The books that were given to us were amazing as well as the selection for the kids on the day of the event, (the stuffed animal “reading buddies” were an added bonus)… This donation came at a time that I didn't realize how important it would be, just two weeks after the event there was an election with a sales tax increase that did not pass and we were tasked with cutting our budget by 24%…[Kids Need to Read's Grow Your Library program is] just amazing and I feel blessed to have been contacted by [Gary Mlodzik] and to have had this opportunity for our community. [Local Authors] Tom & Lindy Schneider were also just as amazing and I can truly see what a gem they are [in our community].
Katrina Baker
ELD Specialist, Sun Valley Academy Avondale, Avondale, Arizona
October 28, 2022
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read was fantastic at engaging with our community! The kids loved spinning the wheel to see what form of literacy they would receive! We would love to have [Kids Need to Read] in partnership for future events.
Elizabeth Wohlers
Title I School Improvement Specialist, Emmerson Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
October 28, 2022
The Page Coach
I just wanted to express my gratitude and thanks for the donation of books to our Reading Under the Stars event on�October�20th. It made the night so successful. It gave our students the opportunity to get a book that they could read at our event. No one was left out. I look forward to continuing to work with you in the future at our other school events.
Melissa McCallister
Librarian III, Mesa Public Library, Mesa, Arizona
October 26, 2022
The Page Coach
The children loved meeting Cactus Rose (Kids Need To Read Executive Director, Jessica Payne) at the event and were appreciative of receiving a new book and a Highlights magazine. Thank you for being a part of our celebration!
Ashley Williams
Librarian Specialist, Moriarty Community Library, Moriarty, New Mexico
October 25, 2022
Grow Your Library
The community loved the event and the Library was beyond thrilled with the generous donations we received for our collection! …We experienced an increase in young visitors after this event. Things have been slow since COVID and it has been hard to get the community back in the library. This event helped us get them back in!�…The Moriarty Community Library would like to thank Kids Need To Read Grow Your Library Grant for your generous donation of 450 new books to add to our collection, as well as your participation in our Halloween Event with a special story-time, and books and reading buddies for kids to take home. This was a very successful event for the library.
Erin Roper
Director, Kingman Area Literacy Program, Kingman, Arizona
October 24, 2022
The Page Coach
Our community is starved for kid's books. They are always the first to go at yard sales, online sales, book sales, and little free libraries. Kids Need to Read gave us an awesome assortment of seasonally themed books for our little free libraries and Highlights magazines to hand out at a local family event. Kids and adults alike were very excited to receive them! Thank you, KNTR, for the work that you do.
Natalia�Bowers
Teacher, Head Start in WESD, Phoenix, Arizona
October 24, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you for your support it was lovely to add to our classroom library and to give students books they can continue to enjoy at home.
Jen Simmons
Resource Center Specialist, Emmerson Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
October 20, 2022
The Page Coach
We really liked all of the books that were donated to our school for this night.
Anna Marie McGee
Librarian, San Tan Height Elementary, Queen Creek, Arizona
October 18, 2022
The Page Coach
I appreciate you all so much and I would love to work with you all again.
Becca Lee
Success Coach, Central/Freedom High School, Mankato, Minnesota
October 13, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
It was a very nice variety of books that were received. Around 30 to 40 percent of our students are of the BIPOC demographic and there were many books that fill those missing elements on our shelves. I am definitely going to tell others about your organization and I will more than likely request more books at a future date. Thank you for all that you do.
Karen O'Keefe
EL Testing Specialist, Mountain View School, Phoenix, Arizona
October 7, 2022
The Page Coach
Our October book give-away event with Kids Need to Read books AND Kids Need to Read staff members was just wonderful!! The staff managed everything for us throughout the day - setting up the tables and books, making sure books were restocked, and even packing up books at the end of the event. The staff is so welcoming and encouraging when the students come through to get their books. They offer suggestions and help everyone to find just the right book! We are so very fortunate to a Kids Need to Read school!! THANK YOU!
Stephanie Emerson
Outreach Specialist, Share Center, Bulverde, Texas
October 3, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
The book selection was perfect and so well received at the first event. I know the follow-up events when we use the rest of the books and materials will be just as beneficial!
Lizeth Legaspi
Library Manager, Camerena Memorial Library, Calexico, California
September 28, 2022
Grow Your Library
Everything! We are so grateful for the first wonderful book donation back in 2019 and then having Gary & Tina do a Storytime for our families, give them a book and a highlight and on top of that, a stuffed animal was priceless! And to top it off, we just received an additional book donation with name tags from our staff and volunteers! THANK YOU!
Children who attended the Noche Mexicana event were so grateful for everything that was made available to them. They don't usually go to the library, get a free book and a stuffed animal.
Jordan Walkey
Program Manager, Read Better Be Better, Phoenix, Arizona
September 23, 2022
The Page Coach
The books received from Kids Need to Read helped support and drive our mission to inspire a love of learning and literacy. The books were disbursed through our channels to Sahuarita, Kingman, and throughout Maricopa County!
Melissa Case
Operations Director, Friends of the Children Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona
September 23, 2022
The Page Coach
This is such a great resource for us to have access to. Our agency is new to the valley and as we continue to grow and our youth get older, it is good to know we have a partner to help us encourage reading and learning. The request process was so easy and the staff was very responsive and friendly! The Page Coach was awesome! We cannot wait to have the Page Coach out again for our youth to check out.
Terri Schoen
Title 1 Specialist, Redbird Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
September 20, 2022
The Page Coach
It was amazing to see all of our families leaving with a book in their hands. They were so grateful and excited to get home and read!!!
Amanda Coltman
Library Coordinator, Yuma District One, Yuma, Arizona
September 16, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you so much for considering Yuma District One Schools. The students are already anticipating checking out the new materials. Thank you for encouraging the love of literacy in our children and thank you for all that you do!
Luke Clemence
Director of Parks and Recreation, Cocopah Indian Tribe, Somerton Arizona
September 15, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you so much your organization has allowed us to develop our literacy programs for the tribe we serve.
Laura Pahules
Founder - President, Control Alt Delete, Mesa, Arizona
September 8, 2022
The Page Coach
The kids are always so very grateful to have something of their own that is not tied to the abuse.
Morgan Henderson-Lumens
Teacher, Park Orchard Elementary, Kent, Washington
September 8, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much!! This was amazing! I was able to create a wonderful classroom library and help out my fellow teachers build their libraries as well!
Jennifer Sharp
Teacher, Tau Beta School, Hamtramck, Michigan
September 6, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for the amazing donation from Kids Need to Read. The books that were given to us, were used to give to students who earned a “golden token”. We received a book vending machines that when the students use their coins, they can choose from many different titles of books! So far we have given away 100's of books! Each week we have a drawing per classroom from “caught being great” tickets that are received by for following school expectations and going above & beyond to help others, show leadership and mentor students in lower grade levels. They absolutely LOVE the selections of books that they can choose from. [Additionally] Our students have received books while waiting for their family conferences, little did they know that they got to keep them! We have also given out the books at Family Health & Literacy Nights where families learned the importance of good dental health, but the importance of nightly reading. We are saving the last bit for our Kindergarten round-up that will be in the Spring.
Kendra Barro
Title I School Improvement Specialist, Irving Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
September 1, 2022
The Page Coach
It was such an awesome addition to our curriculum night. Jessica and Miss Mesa were so friendly and helpful to our families. It was one of the Highlights of the night for sure.
Donald Warren
Librarian Pro Tempore and Academic Interventionist, Pine Bluff Lighthouse Charter School, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
August 15, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
I am highly appreciative of the boxes of books our campus received. I hope that [Kids Need to Read's] work continues and that more of our young scholars are transported to the exotic locales contained between the front and back covers.
Jackie Thatcher
Family and Community Engagement Supervisor, Mesa K-Ready, Mesa, Arizona
August 10, 2022
The Page Coach
We love our partnership with Kids Need To Read! We love seeing the joy on our students' faces when they get their reading buddies! Thank you for everything!
Phillip Tyler Jessup
Teacher, Bliss School District, Bliss, Idaho
July 12, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
What a gift! I live in a tiny rural district. Funds are always tight. This donation gave me the opportunity to put books in the hands of my students. As I try to positively affect the culture of this school and help students come to love reading, I desperately needed a gift like this! Thank you!
Jodi Sitzmann
Teacher, Spalding Park Elementary, Sioux City, Iowa
August 25, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thanks again for the books. It was exactly what my class needed. We are all excited to start reading!
Mariah Pitre
Director of Education, We Will Go, Jackson, Mississippi
August 23, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
We enjoyed not only the quantity, but the quality of books we were able to distribute to our students. Books are COSTLY, so this was a great help.
Olivia Gundrum
9th and 10th-grade Teacher, Academy of the Americas, Detroit, Michigan
August 10, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much. I am thrilled to have received so many books from your organization!! Building an engaging and exciting classroom library is such a priority of mine as a high school ELA teacher. I really feel that your donation is helping me to foster a love of reading with my students in Southwest Detroit. I cannot wait to share these books with my students, and I cannot wait to pass along pictures to you all. Thank you again for your donation- it means so much!
Olivia Gundrum
English Teacher, Academy of the Americas, Detroit, Michigan
August 4, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
I am beyond thrilled to receive this donation. As a first-year teacher, it can be challenging to grow a classroom library, especially when the school does not have robust resources for literacy. I am so eager to have students walk into my classroom and see my library in the fall. I plan to share photos once the school year begins!
Angela Lopez
Development Manager, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
August 3, 2022
The Page Coach
Kids Need To Read is the only place we currently know of that is able to provide BHGH with recently published books! We appreciate it so much that we don't just get a pile of the classics.
Gemma Rose, MLIS
Youth Services Librarian II, Flagler County Public Library, Palm Coast, Florida
August 2, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
We are a public library that offers many creative programs. We used the donations to help supplement our YA section due to the growing needs of the community. Thank you so much for providing us with so many wonderful books. We appreciate the help.
Savannah Ngo
Literacy Coach, KIPP Promesa Prep, Los Angeles, California
July 7, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
It was an amazing gift to receive so many new books! The families almost couldn't believe we were giving them away. They were so appreciative and some have donated their own gently used books back to the school, to keep the positive cycle going!
Danielle Gaby
Teacher, Castle, Colchester, Connecticut
July 7, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for the generous book donations! The children at our school were so excited to explore the boxes!
Jeanene DeFine
Youth Services Librarian, Mesa Public Library, Mesa, Arizona
July 5, 2022
The Page Coach: Storybook Adventures
[Kids Need to Read] has been a pleasure to work with. They are always willing to come out for both our large programs and small programs. The children really enjoyed [Pirate Captain Ruby Red Lips]. I appreciate the time and passion that is put into the program… I look forward to partnering with [KNTR] in the future.
Ashleigh Sudman
Teacher, Scales Technology Academy, Tempe, Arizona
June 21, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you again for all the books you guys were able to donate to Scales. The kids appreciated them SO much and really had fun choosing books that interested them the most!
Amy Burnham
Resource Center Specialist, Shepherd Junior High School, Mesa, Arizona
June 9, 2022
The Page Coach
Giving away free books to kids fills the room with excitement that you don't get at other events!
I'm always amazed at how carefully kids pick their choices. Kids who don't regularly come into the library hung around and looked at books! That's always a success for me!
Heather Nelsen
Resource Center Specialist, Holmes Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 9, 2022
The Page Coach
Our students do not have very many books at home, and often the books we have available for giveaways are a bit dated. It was so wonderful to receive this donation and have more current, engaging books for them to choose from! Everyone was so excited to be able to pick some books to take home with them.
Audrey Arvizu
Media Center Specialist, Adams Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 9, 2022
The Page Coach
I use these books to giveaway to our students who are in summer school. Some of my students do not have access to books outside of school. This helps them grow their reading in the summer.
Jen Simmons
Teacher, Emerson Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 9, 2022
The Page Coach
My summer students were so excited to take these books home with them. Thank you again for helping me create a great summer reading program at Emerson Elementary.
Shiela Keaise
Children's Librarian, Colleton County Memorial Library, Colleton, Walterboro, South Carolina
June 8, 2022
Grow Your Library
How [Kids Need to Read's Grow Your Library] program impacted our library in that children frequent the children's department regularly and most of them come expecting a free book which we have been fortunate to have.
Suzy Bomgardner
Director, Unicoi County Public Library, Erwin Tennessee
June 1, 2022
Grow Your Library
We were given 600 books to beef up our little library's collection and this helped us in a big way. [Grow Your library is] a wonderful program! Tina and Gary were so kind and our community was so excited to get free books! We are so thankful for this wonderful program!
Stephanie Greene
Senior Library Assistant, Youth & Teen Services, Apache Junction Public Library, Apache Junction, Arizona
June 1, 2022
The Page Coach
We love Kids Need to Read! Helping children grow their home library is so important. Kids need to have access to books at home and this program is great!
Lori Simmons
Library Specialist, Westwood High School, Mesa, Arizona
May 31, 2022
The Page Coach
We are very appreciative of the donations!
Valerie Hollobaugh
Public Relations/Economic Coordinator, Native American Fatherhood and Families Association, Mesa, Arizona
May 25, 2022
The Page Coach
We just loved the books and magazine donations. Our reading program was a hit with local families and it was encouraging for the children to read books instead of playing tech games.
Sally Parker
Branch Manager Librarian, Stone County Library, Wiggins Mississippi
May 19, 2022
Grow Your Library
It was a wonderful experience to have Kids Need to Read/Grow Your Library come to our library and receive so many high-quality books. The children who participated were very excited to choose books and a reading buddy from your program. This is a great asset to our library and our community. [Additionally] We have experienced an average of 5 children weekly obtaining a public library card for the first time and an increase of children's books checked out has increased by 20%.
Alison E. Williams
Library Services Coordinator, The Copper Queen Library/CQL Annex, Bisbee, Arizona
May 13, 2022
Grow Your Library
[We loved]�Everything! The books are amazing, the story time was wonderful, and the staff was terrific!�[There has been]�Increased checkouts in the Children's Collection and increased new juvenile patron card registrations. We are so grateful for the support of this [Kids Need to Read's Grow Your Library], and the willingness to serve our community. Thank you!
Jennifer Enriquez
Principal, Indian Oasis Primary School, Sells, Arizona
May 11, 2022
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read is amazing. Anytime I need books for our students, [KNTR's Staff] always comes through. The students love the Highlights magazines and the book buddies are a big hit with our little ones.
Kitura Andrus
Teacher, Hauulua Elementary School, Oahu, Hawaii
May 8, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for the new books. My kids are reading and enjoying them immensely!
Marilyne Tirado
Family Support Specialist, Porter Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
May 6, 2022
The Page Coach
On behalf of Porter Elementary staff and families, THANK YOU SO MUCH! for participating at our Nacho Average Bingo Night event on Friday, May 6th. We instill the love of reading into our scholars throughout the school year and take every opportunity to make it as fun as possible. The event you participated in was another way to ensure that our scholars end the school year with that same love.
One of our families mentioned as they left the event how their scholar said they can't wait for next year's “bingo with books” event! We appreciate building these relationships with the community and sharing them with our Porter families, again, Thank You!
Aileen Zerger
Reading Interventionist, Longfellow Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
May 4, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you so much for your book donation. Our students absolutely loved the books and it made us so happy to send them home with literature to read over the summer! I was blown away by the number of books we received and look forward to partnering with you in the future. I am so thankful for your organization. You are truly making a difference.
Mrs. Andalibian
School Counselor, Jack Barnes Elementary School, Queen Creek, Arizona
April 28, 2022
The Page Coach
I greatly appreciate the presentation for our students, including the Highlights magazines! The presentation was awesome! Thank you so much!
Sarah Pioske
Teacher, North Middle School, Rapid City, South Dakota
April 27, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
My students stopped class when the boxes came. Many found a book that they connected with right away saying “this book is made for me.” Some students agreed with each other that their books are better than what's in our library. They ignored their work for the rest of class and focused on the books of their choice or continued examining all of their options. Getting some students to read this year has been a slow burn process and with this donation, many are on fire for reading now.
Sarah Pioske
Teacher, North Middle School, Rapid City, South Dakota
April 27, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
[The books] just showed up. I let my current class open a box- comments were “this book was meant for me” and “these books are better than what the library has.” Absolutely amazed them. A few have them have claimed books and are reading them now instead of doing their current assignment… and that's great! Thank you so much.
Gena Martinello
Literacy Coach, Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
April 26, 2022
The Page Coach
We are so fortunate to have the support of Kids Need to Read for our Title 1 students. Our Family Literacy Night was a huge success due to these free books. Kids were sitting in the field, eating pizza and reading through their Highlights magazines! We appreciated Jessica's hard work, dedication, and organization during the event! She even brought her own tables and a shade canopy that came in handy during the 100-degree late afternoon event! Thank you KNTR for putting books in the hands of readers!
Cathy Griffith
President, UCPL Board of Trustees, Unicoi County Public Library, Erwin, Tennessee
April 26, 2022
Grow Your Library
Thank you for the huge donation of books to the Unicoi County Public Library! We have not experienced the level of excitement currently surrounding our library since the building was dedicated as a library by the Toney family many years ago.
Cheri Thompson
Teacher, Legend Springs Elementary School, Glendale, Arizona
April 7, 2022
The Page Coach
Thank you Kids Need to Read for allowing Legend Springs Elementary School to share the love of reading with students not only in Arizona but across our country. We're trying to create a reading culture at our school and this was a perfect experience to [encourage our students].
Thomas Martin
Executive Director, Camden County Pop Up Library, Camden, New Jersey
April 1, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
The books were well received. Most of the books donated to [Camden County Pop Up Library] are gently used, and these [books from Kids Need to Read] were brand new. Along with Highlights in English and Spanish. The Spanish High Five magazines were the biggest hit. [There are] very few books in Spanish donated [but we] distribute books in many Hispanic areas of Camden, so they were especially well apricated. Thank you so much.
Sue Brash
Book Gifts Program Chairman, Assistance League of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona
March 30, 2022
The Page Coach
We appreciate the supportive bilingual titles. Having KNTR deliver to our philanthropic center is so important. As our small budget dwindles toward the end of our fiscal year, a KNTR donation helps us continue to serve deserving recipients.
Amber Amaya
Title I Specialist, Pomeroy Elementary School, Chandler, Arizona
March 29, 2022
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read provided books and magazines for all of our students who attended our Reading Under the Stars event in March 2022. Families were so excited about the donations! The distribution of reading materials was distributed seamlessly. At the end of the event, teachers in attendance were able to gather books for their classrooms to share with students who were unable to make the event. We hope to partner with Kids Need to Read for our future events.
Cindy Smith
Title 1 Coordinator, Crimson Point Elementary, Kuna, Idaho
March 21, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Getting free, good quality books is rare. Thank you so much for helping us get a good [book] into every child's hands!
Alyssa Cosby
Library Director, Woodville Public Library, Woodville, Alabama
March 9, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
The kids loved the books, especially the highlight magazines. This week is National Library Week, so each child received one of the magazines donated by your organization and were able to look through the new books that had been added to the system.
In addition, some books were duplicates of books already in the system, so with all the duplicates from your organization as well as books donated recently, the children were each able to receive two books to take home and read later.
Tiffany Schmoll
Special Education Teacher, Davis Middle School, Evanston, Wyoming
March 7, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Amazing grant! Thank you so so much!
Tiffany Hughes
Social Worker, VH Lassen School, Phoenix, Arizona
March 1, 2022
The Page Coach
The kids were so excited. The [original] plan was to hand the books out for Christmas break but we had a covid outbreak and a lot of teachers, staff, and students were out so we decided to have the book giveaway [would] be during ‘Read Across America’ week. During that time our kids were given [their new] books and [were] allowed to sit outside and read in the grass…
Anna Marie McGee
Library Assistant, San Tan Valley Library, San Tan Valley, Arizona
March 1, 2022
The Page Coach
Our kids and staff had the best time on Pirate Day, and Kids Need to Read was a large part of that!
Kelsey Christofferson
Title I Specialist, Porter Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
February 25, 2022
The Page Coach
We are so thankful for the literacy support of our students and their families. Thank you for another successful partnership and for being so gracious to our kiddos. Providing book access at home for all supports equitable experiences for our students and we are so grateful for all you do!
Mary B. Garrett
Children's Librarian, Alpine Public Library, Alpine, Texas
February 23, 2022
Grow Your Library
… this event [Grow Your Library Storytime] helped to jump-start our library programming.
Kari S Tangeman
Teacher, Ruby Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, Nevada
February 15, 2022
The Page Coach
This is our 2nd year receiving this donation! We hope to work with you every year! The kids get excited to choose their own book and use the Highlights Magazines.
Deborah Kovaleski
School Counselor, Adams Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
February 15, 2022
The Page Coach
[The staff was] great, she spent time talking to each family and child about reading and their interests. Our school really appreciates Kids Need to Read!
Lori Williams
Manager Assistant, White Pine County Library, Ely, Nevada
February 9, 2022
Grow Your Library
We had patrons attend the event that had never come to the library and have [since then] signed up for cards. [We received a lot of] positive feedback from several members of the community. Kids Need to Read is such an AMAZING program. It helped our library grow our collection with some fantastic reading materials, and helped create some great memories with our patrons!
Jackie Sutter
Program Supervisor, Maricopa County Dept of Public Health - Office of Oral Health, Phoenix, Arizona
January 31, 2022
The Page Coach
Our clients are so excited to receive the High Five as a supplement to their oral health incentives. Our program is focused on ensuring children 0-5 are kindergarten ready and this is a great addition to our service.
Abby Vaught
Teacher, Mt. Carmel Junior High School, Mount Carme, Illinois
January 29, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you for sending us so many books. The students and I were so surprised when we didn't just get 1 box, but 3 boxes of books. We were overjoyed. Our ‘unboxing’ was so much fun. I let them come up and choose a book or two out and share with the class what they picked. One class did a ‘book tasting’ and was able to find new books to add to their ‘I want to read list.’
Anna Vo
Teacher, Wallace Stegner Academy, Salt Lake City, Utah
January 24, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
My kids loved some of the newer books, but ESPECIALLY the Highlights books! It let them be creative, think critically, read, all while having fun! It was challenging to read and yet was still fun and simple enough for them to understand -- bonus that it had photos and games!
Abby Vaught
Teacher, Mt. Carmel Junior High School, Mt. Carmel, Illinois
January 15, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
It was amazing to receive books from you. We LOVED it. The students were overwhelmed with joy. They could not believe someone would donate books to them, let alone brand new series. We are all super grateful!
Jenny Willard
Counselor, Alliance High School, Alliance, Nebraska
January 10, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
We appreciate all of your help… We were able to really enhance our libraries!!
Sarah Bickel
Teacher, Covenant House Academy Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Michigan
January 10, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
We are so grateful for the beautiful collection of books! Every one of our students found at least one they were dying to read. We really appreciate your generosity and the care with which they were selected.
Ginny Null
Library Parapro, Raymond S Kellis High School, Glendale, Arizona
January 6, 2022
The Page Coach
We so appreciate the generosity [of Kids Need to Read]… The students [were] excited about new clean free books!
Kristie Lowry
Business Intelligence Analyst, Community Housing Partners, Christiansburg, Virginia
January 5, 2022
From Our Shelves to Yours
We received the books and Highlights magazines in January, and our summer reading program will kick off in May, so we haven't distributed the books yet; however, receiving the books in advance allows us to plan ahead as we fundraise and seek out books for the program. When reviewing the books we received, I was particularly pleased to see books by authors and with main characters who reflect the diversity of our residents. Since starting the CHP Reads! program, we've been intentional about curating books that will allow readers to see themselves in the books they receive, and the books from Kids Need to Read have fed perfectly into that.
Megan Reddell
Outreach Coordinator, Civitan Foundation, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona
January 4, 2022
The Page Coach
We are so grateful for the donation. Our members are showing a greater interest in reading and have greater resources to practice their skills because of your donation.
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